Simply Beautiful

My week long fun in the sun in the Riviera Mayan region of Mexico was just what the Doctor ordered.

I am refreshed, rested and probably more than a little brain drained.

BUT….It is time to get back into work mode with a New Year that just now  ‘officially’ starts for me.

I will have a run-down vacation post in the coming days but for now, I need to concentrate on my actual job and start things rolling.  Meanwhile….a few pictures for you to warm you to your toes on this cold, cold forecast of a week we are heading … Read more...

Vamos a Mexico

It’s that time of year.  Time to be the typical Canadian that flees the frigid arctic air mass that has settled over Southern Ontario (and much of North America actually) and head south for some sun, sand, surf…and cervezas!

This has to be the perfect timing for getting away, this past week has been frightfully cold and I am thankful we have a wood stove for alternate heat.  As well as warming up the basement, it helps to shut the furnace up for a while.

We are headed to sunny Mexico for a week, therefore there will be no posts … Read more...

Mexican Spiced Lentil Soup

I am on a mission this week.  A mission to use up all perishable food items before Saturday.  What is Saturday you ask?  You will have to tune in tomorrow to see what Saturday is all about.

Meanwhile, the weather this week has been as balmy as an Antarctic Summer Day and soup is always on the menu during frigid winter weather.  I have eaten all my squirreled away soups from the freezer, so I pulled out the soup pot and surveyed what veggies I had to use up.

2 roma tomatoes, 1 jalapeño pepper, some green onions, garlic cloves … Read more...

Turkey Enchiladas With Salsa Verde

I love Mexican food…oh heck.. If you know me at all,  you know that I just love ALL things Mexican (especially when I get to GO there!).  So if you are still up to your ears in leftover turkey, here is a lip-smacking yummy recipe to transform ho-hum turkey leftovers into a fantastic Mexican meal.  Why go out for Mexican food when you can easily make it at home…for cheap (uh…frugal, especially when the January bills start coming in the door)…

Enchiladas de Pavo con Salsa Verde

Ingredients

2 Cups shredded, cooked Turkey (white or dark meat)
2 Cups Salsa … Read more...

Next Weeks Menu

Happy 1st Day of November!  Only 54 days left until Christmas…have you started your shopping yet?  If you are like me…hell no.. It is way too early to start even thinking about anything related to Christmas, besides, Halloween was last night and there are mountains of chocolate and candies to be eaten still.

Today is also one of the special days for those folks living in Mexico and other countries around the world.  Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) where families celebrate and honour the lives of those that have died.  It typically commences on October 31st and … Read more...

Tomatillo Monster

I have a gardening success.
A HUGE gardening success.

I have effectively mastered the art of growing Tomatillos.

Last year I tried to grown them and I failed miserably.  Out of the three plants that were lovingly placed in the ground, 2 died and the third one grew and grew and grew and put forth masses of flowers and continued flowering like it was the last flowering plant on Earth.

But not one Tomatillo developed.
I was devastated.
OK, not really, but it was rather upsetting.

Reason being, Tomatillo plants need another Tomatillo plant beside them in order for the … Read more...

Of Ducks and Salmon….

Diary of Homestead Vacation continued….(see prior post here)

Salmon…. the Ocean’s gift to a healthy heart, diet and lifestyle.

I love salmon.  I could eat it every day of the week.  I broil it, BBQ it, bake it, steam it and have been known to skewer it.  There isn’t a more versatile fish than the humble salmon.  You can Cajun it.  Blacken it.  Smoke it. Salt Cure it.  Can it. Make a salad out of it….or eat it Tartare fashion.

This fish of Omega-3 fatty acid fame has a long standing history with humans.  Native peoples on both … Read more...

Skinny Girl Chilaquiles

Oxymoron Title?  You bet….pretty much anything full of cheese and deep fried tortillas isn’t good for the waist line of any ‘mujer’…but I love Mexican food.  Mexican food is flavourful, spicy, exotic, tasty….and well, sometimes fattening.

One of my favourite items when I head to Mexico to escape the frigid Canadian winters is Chilaquiles con pollo y salsa verde (oh, you don’t understand Spanish? Translation: Chilaquiles with chicken and green salsa…See? sounds way sexier in Spanish).  It is one of those local, hearty dishes where everyone’s ‘abuela’ has a way of making it their own way.  It is the kind … Read more...

Next Weeks Menu

I am so excited I can’t contain myself.  This weekend I will be solo at the Homestead as hubby has to work a special project.  Why am I so excited you ask? Aside from the obvious hogging of the whole bed every night?

It is Mexican fiesta weekend, that’s why!  It is also a time to enjoy a vegetarian meal or two without having to make something else for hubby who prefers meat to be included in his dinners.

I am trying out 2 new recipes this weekend, Chilaquiles con Pollo y Salsa Verde (this from an episode of Triple … Read more...

Your Mini Virtual Vacation

Monday’s…you either love them or hate them.  Me, it makes no difference as I work more on weekends than weekdays, but for those that hate them, sometimes a quick trip to Mexico is just what is needed on this day of the week.

So I am sending along something to brighten your day and get your week off to a great start.  A small sampling of flora grown in and around the Mexican resorts.  I gave up trying to think of the right word to describe them, as ‘stunning’ just doesn’t seem to do them justice.

Oh….and you are welcome … Read more...